No Phuket beach lifeguards from today

As of today (March 26) lifeguards may not be seen on Phuket’s beaches for a month or more because the contract for their services has yet to be renewed. It is now down to Phuket Governor Nisit Jansomwong to decide what happens next.

Phuket Life Guard Service Co Ltd consultant Prathaiyut Chuayuan told The Phuket News, “We have not yet received an answer from officials about the renewal of the contract.

“However, we have talked with people who are always at the beach and also to hotels and local businesses, and have asked them to help look after the tourists until we can return to the beaches.

“There are also the warning signs, in seven languages, set on 13 of the beaches, which I hope will help.

“I care about the tourists when they come to play on the beach, and I hope they will swim in safe areas because May until October is a dangerous period, and in April, too, there will be lots of tourists here.”

The lifeguard service is funded by the Phuket Provincial Administration Organisation (OrBorJor) whose President, Paiboon Upatising, told The Phuket News today, “[A new contract] is in the works.

“But we have to put the contract for lifeguard services out to tender and we must have three bidders.

“However, as was the case last year, only one company bid for the contract: Phuket Life Guard Service Co Ltd.

“So we have to hire them on special conditions, as we had to last year. However, this year the deal must also be approved by Governor Nisit.”

When The Phuket News rang Gov Nisit about the lifeguards today he appeared not to have heard about the problem. But he promised, “I’ll make it a top priority.”